I loved Wayward and was hoping that Sirens would have the same pull and connection for me but unfortunately it fell a little flat. The writing was beautiful and the.loved the concept, but I just never felt any real connection to Lucy or Jess. Also, the plot was convoluted in places, with a lot of meandering into things that didn’t necessarily drive the plot forward.

I still loved Hart’s writing style though and stories about female connection and power. I will continue to be a fan and look forward to her next book.

The Sirens, by Emilia Hart, is a moving and captivating tale about the power of sisterhood across centuries. It took me a bit of time to become engaged in this dual-timeline novel, but once I got into it, I really enjoyed it. Emilia Hart is an engaging storyteller and speaks to the experience of women both today and in earlier times.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC; all opinions are my own.

I was so excited when I received an Advanced Copy for this book! I have adored everything this author has put out prior to this so I had high hopes for it; and it did not disappoint!

If you like historical fiction, dual timelines, magical realism, merfolk, tales of sisterhood, interesting characters and a mysterious plot that all perfectly ties together at the end, this book is for you!

I will definitely recommending this to friends.

Thank you to the publisher for generously letting me read an early copy of The Sirens by Emilia Hart.

Read if you’re a fan of historical fiction. I loved this book. loved Weyward and was excited to dive into this - it carries over those rich themes of womanhood and sisterhood with an immersive atmosphere. I didn’t connect with the storyline quite as much as I did in Weyward, but I still found it an enjoyable read overall.

After Weyward, I was fully converted, Emilia Hart could write a grocery list and I'd read it cover to cover. Her ability to braid timelines together, weaving the whispers of the past into the roar of the present, is nothing short of spellbinding. The Sirens follows suit with that same lyrical ferocity and narrative precision, proving once again that Hart is the high priestess of historical fiction with a feminist spine.

In The Sirens, the past is not just a backdrop it’s a living force, shaping and shadowing the present in ways both haunting and empowering. Hart masterfully explores the generational echoes of misogyny, the fragility and fire of family, and the mysteries that lie buried under both literal and emotional rubble. And oh, the feminine rage—so gloriously rendered, so righteously earned—it simmers beneath every page, a reminder of the cost of existing in a patriarchal world.

Mystery, magic, and a fury that sings The Sirens is everything I hoped for and more. It’s a siren call I’ll be answering again and again, and one I’ll be thrusting into the hands of anyone who loves a story that doesn't just speak to you, but shakes you.

I’ll keep things vague to avoid spoilers, but just know this one has its quirks in the best way. If you’re into historical fiction with a side of mystery and a dash of magical realism, this might be right up your alley. I’d say it landed at a solid 3.5 stars for me, but I’m rounding up!

This book is told in multiple timelines, 1800, 1998, and 2018. In 1800, twin sisters Mary and Eliza were sent from Ireland on a convict ship to Australia. They are terrified of water since their mother drowned. Along this difficult journey, the sisters fight for survival on this ship, and notice that their bodies are mysteriously changing. In 1998, Jess was a young student and her art teacher took an interest in her. In 2018, Lucy is embarrassed by Ben, her boyfriend, and she leaves school to seek refuge with her sister, Jess. But, Jess is missing, and Lucy begins to read Jess's journal to find clues to her disappearance. What she discovers puts everything she believed about her family in question.
A bit of magical realism, but an interesting story about the people sent to Australia in the 1800s. The ties to the water played out across all three timelines and was a unique story.
Beautifully written.

In 2019 Lucy isn't sure what's going on after she wakes up from a vivid dream with her hands around her ex-lover's neck. She runs away from college to her sister's house hoping to get some help with her problem. When she gets there she finds an empty house and a lot of questions. Like, how the women from her dreams are the subject of her sister's latest painting. In 1800, Mary and Eliza are forced onto a convict ship for trying to protect themselves, and sent to Australia. But through the long voyage they start to uncover their own past and transform into who they are meant to be!
This one had an element of magical realism that I figured out pretty early. I was actually able to figure out almost all of the surprises along the way. Although I was interested in the topic of the prison transport, this one just didn't do it for me. I think it was the magical realism and just figuring everything out pretty early. I struggled with connecting to the characters.
But it has almost 4 stars on Goodreads so I'm in the minority on this opinion. It was published earlier this year, so if you like magical realism and mysteries to solve, check this one out.
Thank you to @NetGalley for a free copy of this book in exchange for my review.
#NetGalley #TheSirens

Absolutely loved this one! Such a beautiful story! I loved how everything tied together in the epilogue! Such a beautiful story!

I dragged my feet starting THE SIRENS because the negative reviews were putting me off, but I needn’t have worried. The pacing is a bit off and the characters (especially Lucy) act unrealistically at times in service of the plot, but overall, I was very much pulled into the mystery and found this hard to put down.

I think THE SIRENS may have suffered a bit from being compared to Emilia Hart’s immensely successful debut, WEYWARD. I haven’t read WEYWARD, so THE SIRENS had no expectations to live up to for me. I loved the writing and the mix of literary and fantasy. A pleasant surprise!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

There’s so much I want to say about this book but I don’t want to spoil it. Let me just say that it is about sisterhood, mermaids, missing people and dual timelines. It’s a beautiful book that kept me in the edge of my seat the whole time.

I have not read Emilia Hart's debut novel so I went into The Sirens blind to her writing style. First of all, this cover is amazing and really drew me in right off the bat. I found this book to be enchanting and well written. I will be reading more from this author.

I love Emilia Hart's books. As someone who doesn't read fantasy, Emilia Hart's books have the perfect touch of a little fantasy with reality and I love that mix! This book was a great read. Steady paced, lots of secrets unraveling, and the historical touch was greatly welcomed for this story.

Great descriptions throughout the book! Absolutely beautiful cover.

Intertwining storylines in different timelines which Im not always the biggest fan of.

I absolutely love the female empowerment aspect. Overall the book didnt grip me like I wanted it to. It was a bit predictable. I wish there would have been a little more thrill within the scenes. They seemed to drag and it didnt give me the rush I was looking for. The ending fell flat.

Emilia Hart is a beautiful writer though!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book was a slow start for me. However, the beautiful language, character development, and mystery pulled me in. I love books with past/present timelines, and this one did not disappoint. I was intrigued by the magical elements of the story and loved how the two stories connected in the end.

Multiple timelines, mermaids, and phenomenal audiobook narration. Wished some of the plot points were tied down more, but overall enjoyed the ride. The cover is incredible and I look forward to reading more from Emilia Hart!

Really enjoyed this one! I loved Weyward and was excited to dive into this - it carries over those rich themes of womanhood and sisterhood with an immersive atmosphere. I didn’t connect with the storyline quite as much as I did in Weyward, but I still found it an enjoyable read overall.

Read If You Like:
• Multi-generational narratives with intertwining timelines
• Feminist historical fiction infused with folklore
• Mysteries rooted in family secrets and ancestral legacies
• Atmospheric tales set against the backdrop of the sea
• Stories exploring transformation and the supernatural 

Emilia Hart’s The Sirens is a spellbinding exploration of sisterhood, transformation, and the enduring pull of the sea. Spanning three distinct timelines—1800, 1999, and 2019—the novel weaves together the lives of women connected by blood, secrets, and a mysterious call from the ocean.  

• 1800: Twin sisters Mary and Eliza are torn from their Irish homeland and forced onto a convict ship bound for Australia. As they journey across the ocean, they begin to experience inexplicable changes, feeling an uncanny connection to the sea that once terrified them. 

• 1999: Sixteen-year-old Jess, isolated in a rural Australian town due to a rare allergy to water, finds solace in her art. When a charismatic teacher takes an interest in her work, Jess’s world shifts, revealing hidden depths and dangers. 

• 2019: Lucy awakens from a disturbing dream to find herself attacking her ex-lover. Seeking refuge, she retreats to her sister Jess’s coastal home, only to find Jess missing. As Lucy delves into her sister’s past, she uncovers a tapestry of myths, disappearances, and a legacy that challenges her understanding of reality. 

Hart masterfully intertwines these narratives, creating a rich tapestry that examines the complexities of female relationships, the weight of history, and the transformative power of the natural world.

Thanks so much to the publisher for my ALC and ARC!!!

This one was a little trippy. Historical fiction with a touch of the paranormal and a smattering of mystery. The flow was pretty good with this plot. The characters were well written though some parts were a little spotty. We kind of jumped around with big sister. I was a little confused as to which time we were in occasionally. Definitely a non linear timeline. There was an interesting touch of ‘whoa’ with the skin issues and how they resolved. A pretty interesting read.

💭A novel about sisters separated by centuries but bound together by the sea.

I am so mad for not writing my review sooner after reading this book because I am a person who tends to forget what happened within a week😅, but I remember I loved the story, I talked to my book friends about it! I loved the multiple timelines (1800s, and 2019.) The story was captivating and thought provoking. Everything you want in a book really. This was a breath of fresh air after reading so many thrillers. I definitely think you should pick this one up!